ONE Year old!

Wow!  wow. 

WOW.

Well, Mr. Eli... you are a ONE year old!!  I still find it so hard to believe that a year has already flown by!  What an amazing year - you have impacted every aspect of our lives, and we LOVE it!!  We are having such a great time together - every day is full of laughter, naps, cheerios, and squeals!  :) 

You have had a fun month - we spent time in San Diego, Santa Monica, & Santa Barbara (which I wrote about some in last month's letter). You got to see several strawberry fields as we drove from LA to Santa Barbara, and... surprise... your dad decided he had to get off the highway and be nosey!  Your first taste of strawberry was from a roadside stand selling fresh berries... understandably, you loved them!  Since then, you have had LOTS of strawberries -- we even served them at your bday party!  We used your stroller a ton in California, and luckily you loved it!  I just loved being able to walk outside and immediately use the stroller... we can't do that at home!  :)  You just love watching people and seeing new things and the stroller is a great way for you to do that. 

That balloon followed us from Santa Barbara to Muskogee.

 We also had a big family party to send your uncle BJ off to Kosovo.  You haven't gotten to spend much time with your uncle BJ because he has always lived far away and as a result I think you like looking at him better than letting him hold you for right now!  I know this makes BJ sad, but I KNOW you will ADORE him in the coming years!  He will likely be gone for 1.5 years, but we are going to skype with him so that you can see each other!  There were lots of people there - mostly family - and you did really well!  You and your Pops have formed a special bond... pretty much all is right with the world when he is holding you!  It's the sweetest thing... and we're all a bit jealous!  ;)

Eli not so sure about BJ.  Isn't he handsome!

Eli with my mom's dad, Jack.

"celery?"

Love my sweet family!

Eli had had enough of the pictures!  Both sets of grandparents saying "goodbye" to BJ for a little while!

You also had a slumber party at Grandma Shelby's house so your dad and I could have a dinner with friends and actually sleep in the next morning (first time since your birth, Mr. 7:30 AM!).  ;) She loves having you stay with her and you love playing at their house!  Papa took you on a 4-wheeler ride and said that you loved it!  You guys go out and check on the cows.  Go figure.  ;)  After that, your dad decided you MUST have a haircut, so we gave you a little trim.  I have before pictures, but no "during" pictures because it absolutely took both of us to hold you still enough to trim your hair!  I have a feeling we have a "real" haircut in our future - yesterday you were trying to get your hair out of your eyes... I think that's a sign!  :)

Hair exaggerated over ears for dramatic effect.  But, yes, it was time for a trim!

You also got to see your buddy Blue again!  He came for your birthday party and stayed the night before.  You guys played so well together!  We have big plans for the two of you!  :)  You also got to see your auntie Jenn & uncle Dan.  They love you so much!

I can just see that trouble is in their future!

Sweet boys sharing bath water.  :)

You are mostly wearing 12-18 month clothes, but can still wear some 6-12 month stuff.  You weighed 21 pounds and were 30 inches long at your 1 year well baby appointment.  While you have only taken a few steps independently, your pediatrician complemented how strong of a walker you are!  I'm just pleased you actually started taking a few steps!  :)  Progress!  You are still a pretty great little eater and have started reducing the amount of formula you drink.  I haven't started weaning from the bottle yet because I like the extra calories you are getting from formula!  :)  And, I just figured out that you like to give yourself the bottle!  I thought you were weaning yourself from it, but really you just wanted to do it on your own!  We'll most likely start the transition to whole milk (which you don't seem to care for much at this point!) in the next couple of weeks.  You are still a great sleeper - sleeping 12 hours at night and taking two naps that are two hours each - usually at 9 am and then around 2 pm or so. 

Peek-A-Boo!

You have so many tricks lately, it's hard to keep up!  You started off the month blowing a LOT of kisses!  It was so sweet!  I haven't seen this one in the past week or so, but like your other tricks - clapping your hands or waving, it should resurface again soon.  You also cover your eyes and play peek-a-boo without prompting!  You cover them and wait for me to say "Peek-a-boo!" and then you uncover them.... and have the sweetest smile on your face!  It's adorable!  You also like to pat your mouth while saying "ba ba ba ba" - your grandma taught you that trick and we love it!  If we start patting your mouth, you'll start making the sound!  You still have a "cheese" face that you love to show off.  A ton of my pictures of you are of your head cocked back and face scrunched up!  I do absolutely love it, though!  You are great with your toys - you love to put the blocks back in their box, to put the egg in the slot on your barn door toy (and say "bock bock bock"), to put the phone up to your ear, etc.  It's so fun to watch you discover all the elements of the various toys!

"bock bock bock bock"

"hello?"

You also ate dirt for the first time this month (and seemed to enjoy it, surprisingly).  And, your dad tells me that you've been climbing the stairs at grandma & papa's house for the past couple of months.  You also learned last month to climb off of things backwards - beds, couches, etc.  We started teaching you that last month to hopefully avoid disaster since you like to get on and off of things so much.  So far, I am still amazed when you turn around to get off feet first!  Thank you! 

OH!  This month, you have officially fallen in love with your chair!  You pull your teddy and froggy off the chair and climb in.  If you see anyone or anything in your chair, you race over to get them/it off!  I hope that's not indicative of future sharing issues!  :)  You also just love to sit in it and read books or just chill.  It's pretty cute! 

Cheese!!

Ok, your birthday is going to have to go in a separate post... this is already bordering on novel-status!  I can't put into words how LOVED and celebrated you were on your birthday.  Most of your family was in town for the celebration, including some like-family friends.  The house was packed, the cupcakes were devoured (by everyone but yourself!  you weren't so sure about the cake!), and the house is now officially your playroom!  You had a great time and so did everyone there.  It was fabulous.  More pics to come in the birthday post!

What is this stuff??!!

Dear son, your daddy and I love you worlds beyond my humble means of communicating so... you are perfection in our eyes (even when you poop on my hand.).  You make us laugh every day and we've done our best to cherish every moment with you as you grow up.  Facing your first birthday, I was mostly excited.  There is so much ahead for us! 

We pray every day for you and for the man you will grow up to be.  Our prayer is that you will love God with all your heart and endeavor to follow His perfect will for your life.  I have no expectations beyond that.  :)

We love you, through and through,
Mom

Decidedly Small....

It won't surprise many of you that Bill and I consider ourselves to be somewhat old-fashioned.

I make jam from our homegrown strawberries.  I mean, who else our age does that?!! 

Bill would rather spend time in the garden than play video games. Watching OSU trumps the garden, but that's about it!

Poor Eli didn't stand a chance for the somewhat commonplace-over-the-top first birthday party.  The size of this party has no relation to the amount of celebrating we're doing over this little guy!  We're sticking to family and "like-family" friends in an effort to keep this party from outgrowing our house!  But, just because the crowd is intimate doesn't mean I can't have fun with the details! 

For obvious reasons, we're going with a "barnyard" theme.  It seems he can barely escape the presence of cows... there are at least 4 portrayals of cows in his room, not to mention the live cows just beyond our backyard... and the fact that my in-laws live next to their pasture with hundreds of cows.  He already has his own cow that he and "papa" go visit during four-wheeler rides.

I have a feeling this theme may be repeated in the coming years.   :)

I have lots of other plans in the works and can't wait to see it all come together!  Of course, I'll share pics. 

On a side note - I can hardly wrap my mind around the fact that he is nearly ONE.  Nope.... it just blows my mind every time I think about it!

One-year-olds are big kids!
They can walk! (still working on that...  This kid was standing with support at 2 months and walking with support at 3 months!  I would have put money on him being an early walker.  Wellllllp... missed that window!)  ;)
They run around on playgrounds!  Oh, what fun!!
They don't use bottles!  I have to be honest and say I'm a little anxious about this transition...
They drive their moms crazy trying to keep up with & clean up after them!  :)
They continue to learn exciting new tricks, words and objects!

I really am so excited for the next stage of this journey... I can see how it is only going to get more and more fun as the days go by!  I love watching Eli's personality develop!

Have a great St. Patty's day!  I'm wearing my green... are you?!  :)

Love!
Cristin

11 months old!

Dear precious Eli,

11 month picture

You've had quite the month! We had your first plane ride, your first zoo experience, and many others recently. I hope I can remember it all as I write this!

Watching the seals at La Jolla beach

Right after your 10 month bday, you gave up army crawling officially and have been on your hands and knees ever since - no matter the flooring. You are quite the speedster these days and very determined in your path. You like to make a beeline to dad's nightstand because you can usually find a remote somewhere around there. You love electronics -- remotes and phones top the list! When you hold them, you often put them up to your ear (well, technically behind your ear, but we'll get that straightened out soon) and start jabbering. It's adorable.

You were officially weaned to formula about a week after your 10 month bday. I have some milk still in the freezer, but you refuse to drink it now so we'll see how that is put to use (or perhaps thrown away, much to my chagrin!). You still take 4 bottles a day, although you are starting to drink less. Some bottles you drink 5 oz, and others you drink 8.5! Always trying to keep me on my toes, little one! I have tried putting formula in your sippy, but you really don't like that idea. You like water (and water only - you don't like juice yet!) in your sippy cups and formula in your bottles. I'm hoping that the transition to cows milk will be ok in a sippy since it will be cold and not formula.

You are still a great eater - yesterday we went to lunch with some friends and you ate more than we did! You insist on feeding yourself, so a tray is very handy. You still love black beans, green beans, cheese, any fruit, sweet potatoes, carrots, peas, nectarines, pears, fish sticks, quesadillas, grilled cheeses, fish and turkey dogs. You aren't loving yogurt right now (perhaps you're a little sick of it?) so you're getting lots of fruits, toast or whole grain waffle, and breakfast bars. You love those! Oh, and naturally you still love cheerios! The only food you let me feed you right now are the pureed pouches of food (like Ella's kitchen, Happy Baby, or Plum Organics). This was often the easiest way to feed you while on vacation, and you happily complied. I think you like that you can suck on it like a straw.

I'm not so excited about this new trick!

Oh, remember how I bragged about how you didn't throw food last month? Welp. As always, I know better than to brag about anything b/c nearly two weeks after typing that you started throwing food on the floor! You typically start when you are getting full or tired of sitting in your highchair. I'm convinced I need a steam mop (Do any of you have one? I haven't started researching yet and would love your feedback!) to get up some of the smashed peas.

We had another snowy month so we had one more round of Eli in the snow pictures. You had fun holding on to our fingers and walking through it - you were pretty intrigued with all the white stuff! As a result, "Spot's Snowy Day" became your favorite book. You can point to the birdy, puppy, and other items on the page. We've read it so many times!

You still love pushing anything that will move (your highchair, the stools in the living room, kitchen chairs, kitchen table!, etc), but haven't taken any steps on your own yet. Your dad and I have caught you standing unsupported a few times, but you won't let us trick you into doing it again. You're pretty stubborn! You've started dancing with your arms a bit to music and you crack up at me when I dance. I must be funny (or funny-looking!). ;) You still don't really like sitting still for dressing or changing diapers, but you'll endure it with a toy in your hands.

How long are we supposed to be able to use these things??  He hits his head on it all the time now!

Your 6-12 month jeans are officially too short. You're wearing most of your 6-12 month stuff for the cooler weather, but 12-18 month short sleeved shirts and some pants. We have a new pair of size 4 Nike shoes that are velcro and the easiest shoes to put on.

One of your funniest tricks this month is making your "cheese" face. You do it best when I use the flash on my camera. You make the whole room laugh when you do it! You also started using this face a little when you fake cry. I still laugh when you do that, and you usually end up laughing too. You also started putting your head on the ground when you are upset - it's like a mini-fit. It, too, is pretty cute, but I try not to laugh at this one.

Cheese!

We went on our first family vacation this month, too. We went to San Diego for the NWA (National Watermelon Association) Convention! Wahhooo! ;) You and I hung out and went for walks while daddy went to meetings. You had your first taste of watermelon here and loved it! It seemed pretty appropriate. We spent a lot of time walking around - fortunately you love your stroller too! You love watching everything as we walk around. You also got to see the ocean for the first time - definitely beating your dad and my records for when we got to experience that! Unfortunately, it was too cold to swim in the water, so we'll have to save that first for later. You did so well on your flights - you slept almost 2 hours on the first flight... on my lap!! You normally prefer to be in your bed, so I was nervous you wouldn't sleep, but you seemed to understand that wasn't an option and just snuggled up and got comfy! It was so sweet! If you weren't sleeping, you were standing up and looking around - trying to find someone to play peek-a-boo with you! You made friends quickly! I'll do a separate vacation post later.

Your 7th tooth appeared pretty quickly after last month's post. And, you've started biting your fingers and drooling again, so I think more are on their way. You still take 2-2 hour naps a day and sleep from 7pm-7:15am or so.

I just think he looks like such a big boy in this picture with Grandma Shelby!

Toliet paper no longer resides on the holder.

We laugh so much with you - your daddy and I are just absolutely smitten! We love you to pieces and basically don't get out of your face until you're asleep. :) You are the biggest blessing in my life!

We love you through and through.
Mom

Cheese!

This is Eli's new "cheese" face.  I have tons just like it in different settings.  It's precious and makes me want to keep clicking away! 

I think he deserves his own billboard in Branson with that grin!  ;)

I have his 11 month post basically finished, but the pictures messed up, and I don't have time to do that right now.  I just learned I have to go to Houston for work tomorrow, so maybe I'll get a chance in the airport.  :)

I've missed sharing with you all!  lots to post!

Love!
Cristin

You decide.

create a free poll on pollsb.com

Tossing the schedule

Follow-up to my question earlier:

1.  I called the Hyatt and they said that baby monitors do not work in the hotel due to their walkie-talkie system.  That basically answers the question for me.

2.  Bill practically disowned me for even posing this question.  His response is an obvious and clear "NO".  He asked me to lean in so he could head-butt me.  Good thing I'm not that stupid... that would have hurt!  ;)

Since Eli's sleeping is probably going to be fickle while we're out, I figure we'll just be flexible and see what he can handle.  Perhaps we keep a 9 pm bedtime while we're away.  We'll see.  I have visions of sending Bill out for ice cream while I stay in the dark and quiet room. 

Another good suggestion was to make lunch the fun meal of the day and make dinner something a little easier.  Thanks for that, J! 

All-in-all, I've probably lost the respect of some of you out there for even asking & I'm kind of embarrassed -- but, I sure hope not!   I appreciate your feedback.  I'm super excited about exploring with Eli (did I mention Bill will be attending a watermelon conference while we're there?).  HA! 

Have any of you ever been to San Diego?  Ideas on fun things to see?

Love!

Avoidance & controversial question!

You know those times where you feel a very serious conversation is necessary with someone, but you would rather not go there for a while, so you basically end up avoiding that person (or at least avoiding serious time with that person) until you're ready?  I'm a peace-keeper type and hate conflict, so maybe this behavior isn't as normal as I'd like to think.

Anyway, consider this blog "that person".  There have been some heavy things weighing on me lately and I'm really struggling to put it into words.  Thus, you've gotten some extra fluffy posts lately.  So sorry.

I think I've turned a corner and am starting to feel better - or maybe I've just found ways to distract myself.  Perhaps only time will tell.

In the meantime, I have a potentially controversial question to ask you. 

This little fam of mine is headed to San Diego, Santa Monica, and Santa Barbara in a couple of weeks.  I seriously cannot express to you how absolutely beyond thrilled/excited/nervous I am!  Traveling a serious passion of mine (inspiring my International Business major in college, as silly as that sounds) and I've been craving someplace new to explore!

My question is this:

Have you ever used a baby monitor in a hotel before?  

Eek!

Ok, Bill thinks this is a no-no, but hear me out.  Eli goes down at 7 pm typically.  This is usually fantastic b/c Bill and I then get some quiet adult time.  But, when we've stayed in a hotel, this has meant that one of us has had to stay in the room once he goes down.  And, since most hotels don't have suites, the room is usually dark and must stay rather quiet for the sleeping baby.

What if Bill and I wanted to have a dinner at the hotel restaurant?  We would not leave the hotel, and would be only minutes away.

Another point to back up my side -- he typically does not wake up until 7/7:30 the next day.  Now, I understand all this could change, especially while we're in a new place.

Ok -- send me your thoughts!

Love!

Farming Friday

Bill took Eli down to Webber today to spend the night with his parents.  Eli is blessed to have such loving and fantastic grandparents on both sides... they adore him and he adores them!

Because Eli is down at the farm (and basically all I do when he is gone is look at pictures of him), I am going to post some "Eli on the farm" pictures.  :) 

Eli's first Cherry Street Market! 

The cantaloupe basically weighed as much as Eli!

Lots of pumpkins!

I'm not kidding - when he's napping, I look at pictures of him.  When I put him down for the night, I look at pictures of him.  It's compounded when I don't see him for a stretch of time - I nearly have a picture by my side the entire time!  To say I'm obsessed is putting it mildly.  ;)

Have a fabulous weekend!

Love!

Pop of Pattern Wednesday

Today's pattern:  Wide Stripes. 

I'm sure there is a "technical" name for this pattern of which I'm not aware.  Please enlighten me if you know!

I honestly searched for a plain navy & white big stripe nursery bedding set for Eli, but could NOT find one!  In fact, when I reached the point of deciding that I was going to have his bedding made (boy bedding is so overly-themey), I searched for a perfect wide striped fabric and could NOT find one!!  Seriously! 

Anyway, I'm filling that void today with this post.  Well, or maybe just whetting my appetite.  :)

I loved this jacket at Ann Taylor Loft

What do you think of the striped chairs?  Too much, or brilliant?  I actually think I like them!  Notice the stripe on the walls?

decorpad

These drapes are really quite dramatic! Can't say I'd ever have the boldness to decorate this way, but I do appreciate it! :)

Coco+kelley

Striped hand towels at West Elm.  Love the texture of these too.

I really love the subtle horizontal stripe in this beachy room.  While I could personally enjoy a nap anywhere (even on the lawn in front of the eiffel tower - jet lag got the best of me there!), I think I'd REALLY enjoy a nap in this room!  

http://www.melledesign.com

Can we just forget that stripes aren't slimming?  This is so cute and makes me want spring sooo badly!

Piperlime

 Ok, I saw this in Serena & Lily's recent catalog and almost got a little angry.  Finally?  Stripes??!  Where were they when I searched so long for them!  :)  West Elm has a great grey striped duvet too.. I think stripes may just be in Eli's future.  :)

Serena & Lily

Trapped inside, yet again.... Dreaming of warm, sandy beaches!

Love!

E*Trade Baby

Eli was cranky yesterday (Sundays are always a struggle -- missing nap #1 sets the tone for the day and we basically rely on Monday to catch up).



Anyway, I thought it might be funny to have him watch some videos of laughing babies.  He cried, instead.  Eli really has a fantastic laugh, but I have yet to really catch it on video which is a huge shame!  Bill had a brilliant idea to see if Eli would laugh in the same scenario as the above video. That's when we decided he was the E*Trade baby.  Click here to see what we're talking about.



You may notice that he's tearing up a produce newspaper.  Yes, that's what Bill reads for fun.  :)

Even if he's not falling on the floor laughing, he's still adorable!  :)

Love!

Farming Friday

Bill has been home since Monday due to the snow.  THE SNOW!  We haven't seen anything like this in years. In fact, last Tuesday we got around 14 inches, beating the previous record of 12.9 inches over 24 hours set in 1994.  It's amazing.  Since I have no farm pics to share, I will share snow pics from today!

I loved walking around the house (after being cooped up for a few days!)  The snow was up to my thighs in my places!  Absolutely wild!

This drift is probably 4 feet!

Bill's dad is taking care of the cattle.  Bill did have one calf die due to the weather this past week.  These conditions are just too hard for little newborn calves.  I just pray that the weather starts to calm down a bit!

Have a fabulous weekend!

Love!

For the love of all things Etsy

On this snowed-in day, what's better than a little online retail therapy!  Well, that and a warm coffee, PJs, and a husband home to play with the little one (and make pancakes for brekkie!)  I'm considering pulling the plug on my own internet so I can pretend I get a snow day off work like everyone else.  ;)

I've mentioned the magical shopping site Etsy in the past.  Today I am going to share with you some of the special things I have found there!  There are MILLIONS of amazing things, so please share with me some of your favorites, too!  I could spend hours on this site!

I've recently rediscovered the relaxing benefits of a nice warm bath.  Often times, it is the first moment I have to myself that day!  And, sometimes when I am really cold, a bath is the only thing that will really warm me up!  This shop has really neat stuff.... it's calling my name!  Does the fact that I enjoy taking baths make me an old lady?  :)

I'm loving this delicate jewelry. Bill gave me a "push present" of a beautiful pair of small diamond hoops that I have literally worn everyday for 10 months (they only come out every now and then for cleaning and to allow for a pair of statement earrings when I'm feeling saucy!)  ;)  Delicate and simple is my approach to jewelry most days.  But, some days just call for something major!  Anyway, there are so many great jewelry sites on etsy... too many to chose from!  But, I do love this necklace below. 

I love how this necklace is delicate and simple, but has a punch to it with the stone.

These would be a fun pop of color for spring/summertime!

I've already mentioned this site here, but I'm still loving her selection.  I'm a pillow addict and can't get enough!  Settling on one design is the hardest part!  To make it worse, I just landed on this shop, and I'm thinking I may have a new favorite!  Kelly Wearstler's designs are soo fantastic!

Elegantouch pillow.  Think I'll be sick of chevron soon?

Kelly Wearstler Grey Bengal Bazaar

A couple of months ago when I was searching for ikat and chevron on Etsy, I stumbled upon this fantastic stationary shop.  Following trend, I have a hard time picking out which design & color combination I want!  :)  Too bad I have no use for calling cards, as most of those designs are my favorite.  I think she would customize stationary for me if I asked her.

A non-cheesy Valentine's design.  I just love it.

I mean, really... She's making me pattern crazy! :)

I'm clearly a sucker for great colors and patterns, so this shop is right up my alley.   How fun to have orange plates to use for game day parties, or just for summer dinners on the patio!  Who knows... they may even slip into my cabinets for everyday use!

You really should check out her site... so many patterns, colors, and designs to chose from!

You can also find great original art there too.  This is one of my favorites, probably because of her agricultural themes.  :)  Is it cheesy to have a painting of wheat fields in a house that could potentially be surrounded by wheat fields?  :) 

I also like this shop.  There's just something about seeing the brush strokes.  I love it.  Do you think all the gray in the sky is depressing?

Wow!  I feel like I've only scratched the surface... there is SO MUCH more!  Please share your favorites... and stay warm on this enchantingly WHITE day!

Love!